Fears Kiwis are ignorant of the signs of bowel cancer

Research by Bowel Cancer NZ - finds one in four adults can't name a single symptom, and although rates are rising among younger adults, awareness is even lower.

Symptoms include abdominal pain, blood in stools, unexplained weight loss and fatigue.

Chief Executive Peter Huskinson says the highly preventable disease is the second deadliest cancer in the country.

Huskinson says the survey shows uncertainty about symptoms delays people getting checked - and cost is another barrier.